2. The answer is suited so as best to convince hypocrites ; not to show the true means of atonement, but to defeat their false claim. Whatever atonement God would accept, yet without the performance of necessary duties it would be fruitless and ineffectual to them : ' He hath showed thee, 0 man, what is good.'
Doct. That in revealing our duty to us, God exacteth nothing of man but what is good.
The observation yieldeth two points —
1. That God hath plainly revealed his mind concerning the duty of the creature.
2. That whatever God hath so revealed is good.
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First, That God hath plainly revealed his mind concerning the duty of the creature : ' He hath showed thee, 0 man.' How hath he showed us ? Partly by the light of nature, partly by the light of his word.
1. By the light of nature. The things here mentioned concern either the lower or upper liemisphere of our duty. To walk humbly with God importeth that we should carry ourselves witli reverence and obedience to the divine majesty ; and to do justice and love mercy, that we should carry ourselves justly and charitably towards men. Both are revealed by the light of nature. Our duty to God : Rom. i. 19, ' That which may be known of God is manifest in them ; for God hath showed it them.' How showed it them ? By graving it on their hearts. Our duty to man : Rom. ii. 15, ' Which show the work of the law written upon their hearts, their consciences also bearing them witness, and their thoughts accusing or excusing,' by turns.
2. By the light of his word, wherein our duty is more clear, full, and certain.
[1.] More clear : Ps. cxix. 105, * Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.' The use of a lamp is by night, and the light of the sun shineth by day. Whether it be day or night with us, we clearly understand our duty by the word of God. The night signi- fieth adversity, and the day prosperity in all conditions. Hence we may learn how to behave ourselves. Once more, the word path noteth our general choice and course of life ; the word feet our particular actions. Now, whether the matter wherein we would be informed concerneth our choice of the way that leadeth to true happiness, or else our dex- terous prosecution, that we may not swerve from the right way in any action of ours, by doing anything impertinent or incohsistent with our choice, still the word will direct a humble and well-disposed mind ; so that here our duty is clearly stated, and if a man's heart stand in awe of the word, he cannot easily miscarry.
[2.] It is more full ; for the book of nature is blurred by man's apostasy from God and degeneration from his primitive excellency ; and our chief good and last end being altered by sin, we strangely mis- take things ; and, weighing them in the balance of the flesh, which we seek to please, we put light for darkness and evil for good, Isa. v. 20, and so miserably grope in the dark, and cannot so clearly discern our way to true happiness. And besides, man's condition is such that he needeth a supernatural remedy — a redeemer; which, depending upon the mere grace of God, cannot be found out by mere natural light, which can only judge of things necessary, and not of such things as depend upon the arbitrary Avill and love of God, John iii. 16. Besides, in the things evident by natural light, nature is dark. The great lines of our duty are fair and legible, epr^/ov vo/xov. The outward work is written in our hearts — abstinence from gi'oss sins, performance of outward duties ; some notices are escaped out of the ruins of the fall, and to convince us of sin, and mind us of our duty; but that full, entire spiritual obedience which is due to God is not known to nature. Therefore, besides the candle of the Lord within us, which is reason, God hath set up a lamp in the sanctuary, which is sci-ipture, to direct us in the way to true happiness , and this is clear and full, and compriseth all
396 SERMONS ON MICAH VI. 8.
that is necessary. Therefore David saith, Ps. cxix. 96, 'Thy com- mandment is exceeding broad ; ' as containing all things necessary for our duty and happiness.
[3.] It is more certain, as having a greater stamp and impress of God upon it. Everything that hath passed through God's hand dis- covers its author. The light of nature showeth itself to be of God ; but much more the light of scripture, wherein he hath discovered more of his wisdom, goodness, and power ; it being such a revelation of the mind of God as is fit for God to give and us to receive ; suited to the nature of God, to preserve a due honour, esteem, and reverence of his blessed majesty ; and exactly calculated to our necessities, for recovery out of sin, and obtaining our true and proper happiness ; and cometli to us attested with such evidence from heaven as we cannot rationally withstand : 2 Peter i. 19, ' We have a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto we shall do well to take heed, as unto a light which shineth in a dark place.* It is surer than the light of nature, as not liable to such debate and uncertainty, which must be cleared before man's duty can be stated to him. More sure than miracles, oracles, visions, as being put into writing ; and a faithful record, as the constant measure, standard, and rule of faith and manners for the use of the church in all ages.